Tuesday, October 13, 2009

It's a Challenge, No Doubt

But I'm doing it.

For me it's not just a challenge.

It's a priority.

Even last night, when I was so weary from my paint the room scramble that I wanted to crawl up the stairs and tuck myself in bed, but instead went all hobble to the other room to find my stinkin Bible.

Yeah, that's about what I said last night.

Stinkin' Bible.

I know, but I'm being honest and just in case you're wondering, there was no flash of lightening or anything like that.

And no, I didn't read yesterday's chapters and have some huge revelation or awesome God moment. I just didn't. In fact, I got to the end with about the same attitude I had when I started. I think some of the passages got lost in a bit of a sleepy stupor too, but the point was, I did it.

See, it's not my first time, so it isn't brand new shinny or what's going to happen next anticipation any more. It's more like being in your best friends house after a 3 year gap and seeing she still has your favorite mug and keeps the blankets in the same place. She still makes tea exactly the same way and you slide into easy conversation without so much as an extra thought.

My journey through the New Testament this time is sort of like that. Like an old familiar home or a best friend comfort.

It's not that I don't have expectation for this challenge, for I do, but it's a very different sort of expectation. It's a long waiting hopefulness. I'm not expecting or even wanting a flash of brilliance from this.

I don't really have the words for what it is I am knowing will come, but it's just something solid. That I do know.

Now some of you don't have a clue what I'm talking about because you aren't a part of my local, live, day to day life here in this house, you're a part of my other lives that have all piled up to make me, well, me.

What I'm chattering about is this. My current church, Fox River Christian...see the side bar...has thrown down a challenge, church wide, to read the New Testament in 10 weeks.

It a challenge I accepted for one reason.

One of the most significant things I have ever done as a Christian was to read the Bible cover to cover. In the course of the last 11-ish Christian years, I'd say it was a critical move.

From that time forward, I have been able to clearly see the difference in my days when I read.

2 comments:

Shelley said...

I love your description...the idea of a best friends house really resonates with me.

Debbie Giese said...

Shelley stole my comment.

Good for you, Jen!